A 44-year-old single mom who was nearly blind due to a massive brain tumor that was pressing on her optic nerve had her vision restored thanks to a revolutionary new surgical procedure. Pasadena resident Adrian Griffin, a former fashion model, also is suffering from the effects of gigantism due to the tumor's position in the pituitary gland (a.k.a. the "master gland"). This resulted in a dramatic enlargement of her hands and facial features as an increase in growth hormones spread through her body. Due to her condition, Griffin has been unable to perform her day-to-day duties as a schoolteacher and has had severe restrictions on caring for herself and her son, Miles. She is being released from the hospital with her vision vastly improved (her vision will continue to improve in subsequent weeks) and the effects of gigantism will begin to reverse immediately.

Few other physicians would even attempt the surgery due to the tumor's precarious location in the brain. Griffin underwent a revolutionary 2-hour, minimally invasive approach to brain surgery known as endoscopy that was performed by internationally renowned surgeon Hrayr Shahinian, M.D. of the Skull Base Institute. Shahinian pioneered the endoscopic surgical approach to skull base surgery and is one of only a few surgeons in the world to specialize in the technique.

"I am delighted with the results of Ms. Griffin's surgery. We witnessed immediate results and have no doubt that she is well on her way to recovery," said Shahinian. "Her tumor was so pronounced and she was experiencing so many tremendous side effects that had the tumor not been removed, her conditions would have continued to deteriorate and she would have been at grave risk for even greater complications. Her determination to overcome her condition has impressed us all and I am proud to have played a part in her recovery."

"I can't believe it, I can see again," said Griffin, upon leaving the surgical suite. "The fact that my vision will continue to improve as time goes by is more than I could have hoped for. Even better, I'll be able to regain a more normal appearance -- that is a miracle beyond my wildest dreams. I want to thank Dr. Shahinian for saving my life and giving me and my family hope for the future."

Shahinian has turned the medical community upside down by shunning the traditional craniotomy -- a relatively barbaric procedure that involves making an incision from ear to ear, pulling back the skin to expose the skull, sawing off the top portion to reach the brain and attempting to correct the abnormality in question. Shahinian and his world-class team of surgeons, neurologists, endocrinologists and other medical professionals are able to treat patients using micro-instruments to access the problem areas. To date, Dr. Shahinian has treated more than 2,000 patients using his advanced endoscopic procedure. The result is leading to a paradigm shift in this field of medicine despite some opposition from traditionalists who are holding on to long-established practices and are resistant to change.